Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach. I also thank all of the Senators for their contributions. I acknowledge the work of the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Madigan, and the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Humphreys, in taking this through.

I will deal with some of the issues raised. Senator Ned O'Sullivan mentioned those involved. I referred to Deputy Ó Cuív. I do not have the date, but I understand there was much discussion regarding blanket bogs on Committee Stage. I was not in the Department at that time but I understand it was the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, who agreed to look again at the suggestion regarding blanket bogs. The amendments came from that debate prior to Christmas.

I also acknowledge the role of the former Deputy and Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Mr. Jimmy Deenihan, as has been mentioned, and some of the good points made on fuel poverty and rural incomes. Many people in these Houses and beyond have a long association with turf cutting. The cessation of turf cutting scheme was established in 2011 for active turf cutters. That arose from the cessation of turf cutting on raised bog SACs. It was extended in 2014 to include the NHAs. A significant amount of funding has been contributed by the State in that regard.

Senator Boyhan spoke of the reconfiguration being positive in respect of our EU requirements on SACs. Senator Hopkins, likewise, referred to the reconfiguration of SACs and the significant impact of de-designation. Turf cutters have expressed emotion and passion over many years since the cessation schemes were instigated and turf cutting stopped.The costs and bad publicity that the National Parks and Wildlife Service has endured, unfortunately, for enforcing the law and the associated difficulties have not provided a good setting for what is an important debate. I am pleased that the review and work carried out by the officials in the Department have in some way resolved the difficulties from those early years.

Senators O'Sullivan, Warfield and Boyhan referred to the efforts that have been made. Significant efforts have been made by the State to resolve the issues of protection of Ireland's raised bogs and special areas of conservation within the framework of the Habitats Directive and national heritage areas. These include the establishment of the Peatlands Council, intensive and ongoing engagement with turf cutting interests, the farming community, non-governmental organisations and the European Commission. We have also seen the establishment of long-term compensation schemes.

Senator Hopkins referred to relocation and the Peatlands Council community engagement pilot scheme 2018. The scheme served to encourage local communities, groups, schools and individuals to engage with the Department on conservation and revitalisation of special areas of conservation. The scheme was developed to grant funds to local community groups, organisations and individuals to support a diverse range of initiatives with community benefit. Under the 2018 scheme, the Minister approved grant funding of a little less than €137,000 in total to 12 local community groups with a focus on conservation and revitalisation of special areas of conservation and natural heritage areas. It is expected the same will apply for 2019.

Senator Warfield referred to the large-scale peat extraction. I am supportive of the regulations of both Ministers. The Ministers made new regulations to provide for an exemption from planning permission for large-scale peat extraction activity coming under the consent system operated by the Environmental Protection Agency. These regulations came into operation on 25 January. Corresponding supplementary regulations provide that large-scale peat extraction involving an area of 30 ha or more shall be an activity controlled by the integrated pollution control licensing under the EPA. These regulations came into force on 25 January.

Senator O'Sullivan referred to public consultation. The main task of any future review of blanket bog natural heritage areas would be to assess how these sites could contribute to the national conservation objective of restoring blanket bog habitats to favourable conservation status. The Senator welcomed some aspects of the consultation process, including the peatlands strategy, and referred to the blanket bogs. While the amendments came in December, the matter was discussed and flagged on Committee Stage. They were proposed by Deputy Ó Cuív. As I recall it, the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht at the time, Deputy Humphreys, indicated that she would look at the matter on Report Stage, which was done subsequently.